#zoomfatigue

[enterprisewired]

How to Use Humour to Beat Zoom Fatigue?

From the pandemic year, Zoom meetings have become a daily ritual. Almost every working-class person might have experienced the all-too-familiar sensation known as “Zoom Fatigue.” It’s that overwhelming feeling of exhaustion that sets in after spending hours glued to our screens, enduring seemingly endless streams of virtual meetings, and trying to maintain that continuous camera-ready appearance. But what if you get a delightful and remarkably effective way to fight this Zoom-induced weariness? Enter the world of “Zhumor” (Zoom Humor).

What if you finish a boring meeting and you have another one but you are excited about that? Because it is going to be fun and make you laugh. Yes, it’s possible! Humor can make your virtual meetings better. It can make you feel more energetic, help you connect better with your co-workers, and make your meetings feel less like work and more like a fun get-together with friends.

You must be wondering how you can put your funny side up and make online meetings better. Don’t worry, we will explain it. In the next part of this article, we will talk about different ways that you can use humor in your online meetings, like starting with funny ice breaks and adding humor to your presentations. 

So, if you want to say goodbye to Zoom fatigue and enjoy your online meetings, keep reading this article further.

1. Understanding Zoom Fatigue

Before we get into the laughter journey, let’s quickly recap what this fatigue is about, and why it is so important to tackle it.

Constant virtual meetings can drain your mental and physical energy. Most of the people might have experienced this after extended hours of those sessions. It’s like the feeling of being tired without moving physically.

2. Why Does This Fatigue Happen?

Eye Strain and Fatigue: When you spend a long time looking at screens, like during online classes or working on a computer, it can make your eyes tired and might even hurt a little.

Feeling Stressed on Camera: If you have to be on camera for a long time during video meetings, it can make you feel stressed and worried about how you look.

Too Much Multitasking: Trying to do many things at once while in virtual meetings, like answering messages or checking emails, can make your brain feel really tired.

Meeting After Meeting: Having one online meeting right after another without any breaks in between can make you feel really tired and stressed out.

Not Moving Around: When you sit in one place for a long time during online meetings, it can make your body feel uncomfortable. You might get stiff or achy.

Now that we know why Zoom Fatigue takes place let’s look at how comedy could heal it.

3. Power of Humor

As we all know laughter can bring liveliness back no matter how much tired you feel at certain times. It’s a powerful tool for revealing stress and boosting energy in our bodies. When you laugh, your brain releases feel-good chemicals called endorphins, which can help combat the mental and physical fatigue associated with Zoom meetings.

Humor brings people together. Using puns can also help build stronger connections with your colleagues or fellow meeting participants. Sharing a laugh can create a sense of camaraderie and make virtual interactions more enjoyable.

4. Using Humor in Zoom Meetings

 Icebreaker Jokes: Start your meetings with a light-hearted icebreaker joke or question. It sets a positive tone and gets everyone in the right mind-set.

Visual Gags: Consider using virtual backgrounds, funny hats, or props that tie into your discussion. They can add an element of surprise and amusement to your meetings.

 Share Funny Anecdote: Share brief, relevant anecdotes or stories that have a humorous twist. Personal experiences can make your meetings more engaging.

Emoji Reactions: Use emojis in the chat to react to what’s happening during the meeting. A well-timed “laughing face” emoji can lighten the mood.

 Meme Moments: Share memes or funny images related to the meeting topic. Just make sure they’re appropriate for the professional setting.

5. Tips for Effective Humor

While fun can be a fantastic addition to your Zoom meetings, it’s essential to use it appropriately and considerately:

Know Your Audience: Be mindful of your colleagues’ sensibilities and preferences. What’s funny to one person may not be funny to another.

Avoid Offensive Humor: Steer clear of jokes or puns that could be considered offensive, controversial, or discriminatory.

Don’t Overdo It: Use humor strategically but don’t turn every meeting into a comedy show. Balance is key.

Keep It Professional: Maintain your professionalism, especially at business. The idea is to reduce Zoom Fatigue, not to generate distractions.

6. Benefits Beyond Zoom Fatigue

Using humor in virtual meetings doesn’t just combat Zoom Fatigue; it offers additional advantages:

Enhanced Creativity: A relaxed, happy, and friendly atmosphere can foster creativity and innovation.

Stress Reduction: Laughter reduces stress, making your work environment more pleasant.

Improved Communication: Humor can break down communication barriers and encourage more open discussions.

Conclusion

Zoom Fatigue is a common issue in today’s digital world. But it’s not an ultimate problem. By using laughter as a tool in virtual meetings, you can bring some fun into boring lengthy meetings. It’s a powerful tool so it’s highly advisable that you should use it wisely, without making anyone feel bad about it.

With a little laughter, you can turn those exhausting Zoom meetings into something you look forward to each day. So, go ahead, bring your funny side up, and let’s beat Zoom Fatigue together, one laugh at a time!

[surveycircle]

Tweeted

Participants needed for online survey! Topic: "Consumer Interactions in Computer-mediated Environments" https://t.co/mqhv7HiKCT via @SurveyCircle #videoconference #VirtuelleInteraktion #ZoomMeeting #ZoomFatigue #zoom #survey #surveycircle https://t.co/X9XbzbwwYl

— Daily Research @SurveyCircle (@daily_research) Dec 6, 2022

[willsantino]

This is a cartoon about zoom fatigue. Have you heard of it? 🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃 . . . #cartoon #zoom #zoomfatigue #halloween #tnycartoons #lol #funny #meme #haha #yep #pumpkin https://www.instagram.com/p/CVg1cklsdX1/?utm_medium=tumblr

[smallmomentsofhappiness]

No matter if, how and when you celebrate Easter, I really hope you get the chance to spend at least a bit of time outside as Spring starts, out of the house, breathing fresh air! If you cannot meet your extended family, at least make it special in your small family (even if it’s one person)! If you cannot spend it with friends, connect with them! If you cannot go far away, see with new eyes the old places you know so well... and do whatever it takes to make it count! #covidfatigue #zoomfatigue #missingtravel #missingfamily #missingthosedays #lifecoaching #makeitmatter #aragonturismo #pirineosaragoneses https://www.instagram.com/p/CNIu9UHJX1e/?igshid=av8wk5i1h2is

[zenacomics]

Welcome to my show!

[ahylen]

Another inspiration from @inspired.jamila 2021 has been a reset and pause about where I want to spend my time. Where can I be my authentic self and where is that self welcomed. Slowing down and really feeling it. No large crowds for me this year. Writing and creating. Posted @withregram • @inspired.jamila You don’t have to go if you don’t want to. Zoom calls included! One meaningful, authentic interaction where you can be fully present for any length of time beats 10 interactions where you don’t feel safe to be yourself or are among others who aren’t being their true selves. Energy doesn’t lie. Fake smiling sucks and you deserve to be around people who smile for real when you show up. 🧡~J. . . #fakesmiles #fake #authenticity #smile #stayhome #fakers #frenemies #peoplepleaser #codependency #introvert #introvertproblems #empath #empathsbelike #energydoesntlie #selfcare #selflove #healthyboundaries #unplug #zoomfatigue #facade https://www.instagram.com/p/CREgzaBjKGz/?utm_medium=tumblr

[whoislauralee]

My favorite invention during my Virtual RESTidency this winter with @blueridgecommcollege was this landing board I made to help make engaging in a virtual spaces more fun. 🎈Like, let’s explore my studio! Or have a one minute dance party! 💃I’ll be using an even BETTER version of this next week in my virtual comics camp—Which still has room for a couple more campers, just sayin…😉 If you’re curious about what a RESTidency is (or wanna learn more about my summer art camps) check out my latest blogs, link in bio. 👈 . . . #restidency #artistrestidency #residency #artistinresidance #artistinrestidance #blueridgecommunitycollege #lauraleegulledge #alwaysinventing #creativeexperiments #artnerlove #artnerinrestidance #selfcare #restasresistance #healing #whimsy #mentalhealthmatters #zoomfatigue #virtuallearning https://www.instagram.com/p/CQi1A-OlVf4/?utm_medium=tumblr

[shevonne]

A new Stanford Research (link in bio) shows that women are more affected by back-to-back online meetings than men. They are calling it “Zoom Fatigue.” One reason they believe that women are left more exhausted is because of “self-focused attention.” This is when you are focused on the way you look in video conferencing.⁠ ⁠ I’m glad that my company doesn’t force us to be on video. We do once in a while, but that is our choice to be on camera. We don’t need to be in each meeting. ⁠ ⁠ I have slipped in making myself presentable every day, and that is one of my goals. However, there are times when you just don’t want to put makeup on and are fine without it. To then have to go on video can be stressful for many women. ⁠ ⁠ Companies, remote working doesn’t mean constantly having your employees in meetings. Additionally, you don’t have to force them to always have the video camera on. Find ways to reduce the number of meetings that there are. If you can’t, make sure that meeting organizers have an agenda and keep track of the time. If there is a risk that the meeting will go over, start letting people know that the meeting will come to an end, so start discussing the action items that need to come out of the meeting. ⁠ ⁠ Not every conversation needs to be a meeting. There are a couple of people I wish would get that message. ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ #zoomfatigue #onlinemeetings #videoconferencing #workingfromhomemom #workingfromhomelife #workingfromhomeproblems #workingfromhometoday #workingfromhomewithkids #remotelife #workingwomen #workingmoms #workingwoman #remotework #workaholic #workingfromhome #workingmom #remoteworking #flexibleworking #workingremotely #telework #workfromhome #workremote #workremotely #remoteworklife #remotelyworking #telecommuting #workingathome #workfromhomelife #telecommute #teleworking https://www.instagram.com/p/COJoR2njOv-/?igshid=1j12h09y9ggi3

[cpapartners]

Stanford Researchers Identify Four Causes for ‘Zoom Fatigue’ and Their Simple Fixes (Stanford News) - It’s not just Zoom. Popular video chat platforms have design flaws that exhaust the human mind and body. But there are easy ways to mitigate their effects. 

[surveycircle]

Tweeted

Participants needed for online survey! Topic: "Effects of Zoom Users' Characteristics on Zoom Exhaustion and Fatigue" https://t.co/pArhKg9bKZ via @SurveyCircle #ZoomFatigue #videoconferencing #VideoConference #ZoomExhaustionAndFatigue #survey #surveycircle https://t.co/ljkAs51fof

— Daily Research @SurveyCircle (@daily_research) Nov 24, 2022

[ultraevonne]

#monday DONE, DONE AND DONE! 🤗🙋🏽‍♀️🥸 Well that was effortless-feeling very accomplished already!🎯 #mondaymotivation #mondaymood #mondayvibes #covidbrain #zoomfatigue #pandemiclife #vulnerability #messy #marykatherinegallagher #marykatherinegallagherismyhero #Repost @fearofgoingout with @make_repost ・・・ This journey is exhausting. @invisichad (at Los Angeles, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CJ6ZMdrAGmP/?igshid=1ash105b7mvqg

[jarrydwillis]

My fourth #NewYearsResolution is to have Byrd’s Nest Reunions with everyone - scattered over time for obvious reasons like different time zones, several Byrds (Violet 🇮🇳 , Gold 🎮👩‍🏫, Purple 🧕🏻☪️) are raising kids during this #COViD calamity, trying to fit everyone in one day means I’d have less social energy for the last Byrd compared to the first Byrd (#introvertPride), & I’m still recovering from #ZoomFatigue 👩🏻‍💻 But want to eventually catch up with everyone 💁🏻‍♀️ #Bffs #DontForgetWhereYouCameFrom ���🇱 (at San Diego, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CJZggeejjU6/?igshid=7m1huj3avsl7

[thecrusher007]

Pants or nah? 💃🏽 #nopantsnoproblem #zoomfatigue #conferencall #whenyouhavetopretendtobeagrownupbutyoujustwannaplayguitar https://www.instagram.com/p/CH_cnXbs-Zy/?igshid=19f1csrxm06na

[parentingroundabout]

Taking Social Life Online

[careygly]

Thanks to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Los Angeles @bbbsla, for arranging a virtual animal sanctuary tour with our little brothers and sisters. I know that everyone has #ZoomFatigue, but this was surprisingly fun and informative. The folks at @AnimalTracksInc have been furloughed since March. Their volunteers are sustaining the sanctuary by hosting Zoom meetings with the animals. If you want an entertaining and educational virtual event for your organization, check them out. They have kangaroos, fennec foxes, monkeys, emus, marmosets, porcupines, wolves and much more. #BBBSLA #BigBrother (at Animal Tracks, Inc.) https://www.instagram.com/p/CENEarjBSFV/?igshid=qvdvqcg4u5si

[garimadutt]

Me. Taking selfies. Trying to capture the look: The day is still not done. We still two more zoom meetings to go. Mental balance undone! 😳🙈🙄😂🤐😬 #zoomfatigue #zoombaraabarzoom . . . #allinaday #tuesday #phew #selfietime #zoomit #zoom #ethnic #digitalmarketer #delhiblogger #digitalmedia #teachersofinstagram #justlife #delhigram #delhieyes (at Zoom App) https://www.instagram.com/p/CDeFczSnBa_/?igshid=v3fjgmop1ig7